Characters

Auditioning for Hello, Dolly! can be a challenging experience. That's why we have prepared the following excerpts to help you get ready to "break a leg." 

Below, each character has a breakdown. On the Audition Sides page, you will find "sides" (scripts) and a small excerpt from the score with which to rehearse for your audition (some of the content below is copied from Wikipedia). 

• Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi: A widow in her middle years who has decided to begin her life again. She is a matchmaker, meddler, opportunist, and a life-loving woman.

• Horace Vandergelder: The proprietor of a Hay & Feed store and a client of Dolly Gallagher Levi's. A well-known half-a-millionaire and widower, he is gruff, authoritative, and set in his ways.

• Cornelius Hackl: Vandergelder's chief clerk who yearns for one exciting day in New York City. Energetic, enthusiastic, and adventurous young man who has a sweet innocence about him.

• Barnaby Tucker: An assistant to Cornelius at Vandergelder's Hay & Feed store. He is sweet, naïve, energetic, and a follower.

• Irene Molloy: A widow and a beautiful, smart, fun-loving milliner with a hat shop in New York City. Dolly has introduced her to Horace Vandergelder but she yearns for romance.

• Minnie Fay: A young girl who works in Irene's hat shop. Irene's assistant, she is naïve, strait-laced, fresh, and a follower.

• Ambrose Kemper: A young and explosive struggling artist seeking to marry Ermengarde.

• Ermengarde: The young niece of Horace Vandergelder. She cries often and wants her independence and to marry Ambrose.

• Ernestina Money: An eccentric-looking girl in need of Dolly's matchmaker services.

• Rudolph Reisenweber: Maître d'hôtel of the Harmonia Gardens restaurant.

• Stanley: A young waiter at Harmonia Gardens.

• Fritz, Harry, Louie, Danny, Manny, & Hank: Non-speaking, Chorus/Dancers; waiters at Harmonica Gardens.

• First Cook: Harmonia Gardens employee; German accent. 

• Second Cook: Harmonia Gardens employee. 

• Judge: A white-whiskered night court judge. Easily moved to tears by romance.

• Mrs. Rose: An old friend of Dolly's.

• Policemen: Several; only one speaking. New York City officers. 

• Coachman: Non-speaking, Chorus.

• Horse: Non-speaking, Chorus/Dancers.

• Court Clerk/Recorder: Chorus.

• Paperhanger: Non-speaking.

• Ensembles: Townspeople of New York, Yonkers Band, Lodge Members, Feed Store Customers, Harmonia Gardens Customers, Polka Contest Dancers, 14th Street Parade Ensemble.